Three men opened gunfire, spraying bullets across the roller rink floor and striking five patrons, at 1:44 a.m. Friday at the Rolladium in Waterford Township.

"It was a random cowardly act by three animals," said co-owner Kurt Anselmi.

According to published reports, police have named Robert Lee German, 18, of Pontiac, as a person of interest.

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About 290 people were in attendance at the skating rink on Highland Road for "Roll Up," a private Pre-Christmas skating party promoted on Facebook and Twitter. The owner said a group of people had rented out the arena for the night for the private party. Attendees paid $15 to get into the party.

Waterford Police Chief Dan McCaw described the scene.

"A fight broke out between some young ladies and another fight broke out between some young gentlemen," McCaw said. "Three individuals left the facility and came back several minutes later. As they walked in, they indiscriminately started firing into the rollerskating rink area."

"They were shooting in a crowd. They were not aiming."

All three men fired handguns as they stood by the snack bar area. McCaw said it is unknown whether the three men were part of the earlier fight.

The Waterford Police Department is looking for three black males in their late teens to mid-20's.

"They basically range from light- to medium-skinned, they're in the area of 5'7'' to 5'10''. As far as weight, they're probably about 165 to 195 pounds," said McCaw.

McCaw asked the public to come forward to the police if they know who these three suspects are, but not to approach them because "they are armed and dangerous." Crime Stoppers of Michigan are offering up to an $1,000 reward for tips leading to the arrest of the suspects.

The victims were a 20-year-old White Lake woman, a 20-year-old Pontiac man, a 20-year-old Pontiac woman, a 21-year-old Pontiac man and a 23-year-old Pontiac woman.

According to McCaw, four victims were hit in their hand, arm or leg area. One man, who is in the most critical condition, was hit through the upper torso. "He is going to survive," said McCaw.

"I was on my way down after 1:40 in the morning. I was driving my car, praying to the Lord that no one got killed, especially a couple days before Christmas. It is a sad situation. It's obvious these individuals have no sympathy for the holiday or anybody else," said McCaw.

McCaw said alcohol is not served at the facility, and it is unknown whether the three suspects were intoxicated.

Anselmi said his wife was at the event when the shooting occurred and that she is okay, just shaken up. "I was first concerned about, not only (my wife), but the people who were shot. Then my reaction was anger. I don't know why people have to do these kinds of things," he said.

Anselmi said there are surveillance cameras both inside and outside of the arena. The tapes were to be released to media. They were reviewed by police.

"We've never had any problem like that," McCaw said of holiday parties. "Generally, the people who put on those type of parties, the promoters, it's been a good event."

McCaw said this is very out of character for the Rolladium, which opened in the 1950s and only had one other shooting incident in 1975. Anselmi said about the 1975 shooting that a specific individual was targeted inside at that time, and it wasn't fatal. The Rolladium was built by Anselmi's grandfather in the 1950s. Anselmi and his wife took over operations in 2007.

McCaw said, "This type of incident could happen everywhere, and it has happened in other communities. This is a rare incident. We haven't had anything that's ever happened like this before. The owners are very cooperative with police."

Normal skating was to occur on Friday night. The skating arena will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Community members were shocked by the violence, sharing their thoughts on the Facebook page for TheOaklandPress.com.

Sarah Smith said Friday, "I live five minutes from there and take my son skating all the time. We were going to head there today in fact. This is so disturbing."

Jenny Frase Neilsen said she grew up skating at the Rolladium. "I guess nothing is safe," she said.

Lisa Hagen Kane said the typical clientele of the Rolladium were not attending this event. "They could have been from anywhere and come here because there isn't a rink near them. Don't judge our community or residents on this!"

Kimberly Young Mahaney said she hopes this doesn't affect the business of the skating arena. "This was a late-night private party. The Rolladium is a great part of the community, they have fundraising skates for our schools, preschool skates and all kinds of fun family skating," she said.

Christine Page said things like this happen all the time in Detroit. "And no one even cares. We should strive to make everywhere safe so no one has to deal with such a tragedy," she said. "I wish I knew a solution, but I believe it starts with how people are brought up with a lack of compassion for others, a sense of 'entitlement' and a blatant disregard for the consequences of their actions."

FYI: Anyone who witnessed the shooting at the Rolladium Skate Center in Waterford Township are asked to contact the Waterford Police Department at 248-618-7538 or email policetips@twp.waterford.mi.us. To leave an anonymous tip, called 1-800-SPEAK-UP.